The New Year’s Eve celebration gets an early start at 11am with a concert by Maine’s newest award-winning band the Flannery Brothers. The fun continues throughout the day with musical performances by Leeny and Tamara, visits by L.L.Bean’s lovable mascot L.L.Bear, a campfire and cocoa with Outward Bound, and craft activities by Wear and Wave Art Extravaganza with VSA arts of Maine. 

At 5:15pm, Rick Charette will perform the final concert of the day, officially ringing in the New Year, followed by a hot cocoa toast and fireworks at 6pm. 

Who:  Families looking for fun and entertainment.

What:  L.L.Bean’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. All events throughout the day are free.

When:  Thursday, December 31, 2009, 11am – 6pm.

Where:  L.L.Bean’s Flagship Store, Main Street, Freeport, Maine. Rick Charette’s concert will be held outside in L.L.Bean’s Discovery Park, just outside the Flagship Store.

For more information, visit llbean.com/events.  Schedule is subject to change. Please call 877·755·2326 for updates.

About L.L.Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multi-channel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel.  Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe.  While its business has grown substantially, the company remains committed to the same honest principles upon which it was built – a focus on the customer, continuous product improvement and innovation, respect for people, preservation of the natural environment and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  The 220,000 sq. ft. Flagship campus of stores in Freeport, Maine is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than three million visitors each year.  L.L.Bean can be found worldwide on www.llbean.com. Join L.L.Bean on Facebook and Twitter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Athletes Arrive at the Zone Urban Epic Finish Line Full of Smiles Despite Early Rain Showers

More than three hundred athletes brave early morning rain to compete in an exciting Zone Urban Epic event in downtown Portland

PORTLAND, ME – July 18, 2009 – Not even pouring rain and early rumbling thunder could deter the three hundred and thirty athletes who came to downtown Portland Saturday morning to race in the Zone Urban Epic Triathlon. Competitors finished strong despite early wet weather, and the rain stopped just in time for the exciting event and the post-race Festival on the Maine State Pier.

Local favorites and frequent Maine triathlon winners were the first to cross the finish line in both the mens and womens divisions. Kurt Perham, of Brunswick, Maine came in victorious with a time of 1:12:25; and Catherine Sterling, of Kents Hill, Maine was first among women with a time of 1:15:04. Both athletes were also winners of the Pirate Triathlon in June and the PolarBear Triathlon in May.

Athletes stood in the drizzling rain at East End Beach before starting the race at 8:50 a.m. After completing a ½-mile out-and-back swim in Casco Bay, followed by .5-mile run down the East End Trail to the main transition area located inside Portland Yacht Services at 58 Fore Street, racers embarked on 13-mile bike course up to the Eastern Promenade and down to Baxter Boulevard, completing two loops along Back Cove before heading back to the TA along the same route. They ended the challenge with a 3.7-mile out-and-back run along the Eastern Promenade and a big finish on the Maine State Pier.

Highlights from the Festival included live music by the Jason Spooner Trio, a Smuttynose Brewing Company Beer Garden, Mammut Rock Wall, massages by Head Games Salon and The Landing Center, and local food and merchandise vendors. Athletes ranged in age from 14-69 and traveled to the event from 14 states and Canada.

“It’s a wonderful thing for the city of Portland to have such an exciting celebration of health and wellness,” said Jim Buchanan, CEO of title sponsor Zone Labs Inc. and local Portland resident. “We’re thrilled to be a part of it, and we’re especially thrilled for all the athletes who trained so hard for this day and for all our Zone customers who choose to take part in such an active lifestyle.”

“Today turned out to be an absolutely wonderful day,” says Urban Epic Race Director Will Thomas. “We had a very safe event thanks to support from the City, the police, and all our community volunteers and not even a little unstable weather could deter this inspiring group of athletes from getting across the finish line. Portland just provided another opportunity for everyone to be more Epic.”

Seventeen kids competed in the first year of the Aquarun Urban Epic Kids Race presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine and more than twenty 4-6 year olds dashed for the finish in the fun run. Over $2,600 was raised for the charity.

Title sponsor Zone Labs Inc. is a leading functional foods and nutraceutical company based out of Danvers, Massachusetts. Additional sponsorship support for the event is provided by Peak Performance Multisport, Orthopaedic Associates, Smuttynose Brewing Company, The Maine SWITCH & Mainetoday.com, The Landing Center for Healing Arts, Head Games Salon, Mammut, Sunday River, and Sugarloaf. The ZUE is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Live results for both the adult and kids race can be viewed at www.allsportsevents.com. For specific event details or a complete list of winners, contact Amy VanHaren at 207-221-5420 x 5.

About Urban Epic:
Fusing a triathlon with a unique festival, the Urban Epic is a celebration of health, fitness, music, art, environmental sustainability, and the active way of life. Urban Epic events take place in vibrant city locations and draw in thousands of athletes and spectators looking to be a part of something innovative and exciting. Urban Epic combines athletic competition and urban culture into an unforgettable race and festival experience. The Zone Urban Epic is a Tri-Maine Productions event and one of two Urban Epic races. Following the ZUE, Urban Epic Boston will take place on August 16, 2009 on the shores of South Boston. Visit www.urban-epic.com to learn more.

About Tri-Maine:
Tri-Maine Productions is Maine’s premier multisport event management company. Providing high quality, competitive races in dynamic New England locations, Tri-Maine serves more than 3,000 athletes, 5,000 spectators, and 800 volunteers annually. Tri-Maine partners with first-rate local and national sponsors to provide an athletic experience like no other. Fusing arts, music, environmental consciousness, health, and community together with the active lifestyle, Tri-Maine delivers specialized events that transcend the traditional. Visit www.tri-maine.com for more information.

Contact:
Amy VanHaren, Marketing and PR
Urban Epic Events
207.221.5420 x 5 – Work
651.303.8777 – Cell
amy@urban-epic.com
www.urban-epic.com

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Old Orchard Beach, ME – Beloved children’s singer and guitarist Marcus Gale will share his charming songs, funny stories, playful puppets, and original dance music with Maine families and tourists during a performance at Seaside Pavilion on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m.

Gale believes “children are the joy and wonder of this world.” This optimism is woven into all of his performances. His engaging concerts centered on children set the stage for a fun night time and time again – with the whole family singing, laughing, and leaving with a smile.

Gale grew up listening to the great songs of the sixties, learned to play guitar, and began making music. In his school years, he was often found onstage acting and singing. Now, it is Southern Maine community’s chance to catch him live at the Seaside Pavilion.

Tickets for Marcus Gale are FREE for children under 12 (with an adult) Adult tickets are $5/advance or $7/ day of show. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 207.934.2024 or visit www.seasidepavilion.org. To read more about this talented couple or listen to their music, visit www.marcusgale.com.

The Salvation Army built Seaside Pavilion in 1998 as a place for its camp meetings and as a gift to the community to enrich lives, lift spirits, and build community through the performing arts. Seaside Pavilion offers a state-of-the-art sound system and 1,400 stadium style seats with views of the professional stage and breath-taking natural setting. To learn more or to view a full listing of this summer’s events, please visit www.seasidepavilion.org.

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Children's Singer & Guitarist Marcus Gale

Please join us to celebrate our 175th Anniversary!!

Please plan to join us as we gather around St. Benedict’s Church and Parish Center to renew old friendships, make new friends, visit with relatives and reminisce about the good ol’ days. We are hoping to see aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whose “roots” are in Benedicta. Mark your calendars and schedule your visit “back home” for this weekend.

We are in the planning stages for this, sure to be, memorable weekend. As our agenda takes shape we will be posting the events, times and locations of activities.

Mark your calendars and schedule your visit “back home” for this weekend.

For immediate release: Monday, May 25, 2009
For more information contact:
Angela Smith at 207.272.6894  or angela@asmithconsultancy.com

OLD ORCHARD BEACH PAVILION TO UNVEIL NEW
NAME AND KICK OFF SPECTACULAR SUMMER SEASON

Upcoming events at this emerging performing arts venue include award-winning Christian artists, a big band orchestra, enchanting children’s shows, and a well-known comedy act

EVENT:
Old Orchard Beach Pavilion to kick off the season in style with a new
name and a warm invitation to Mainers and tourists alike to
experience the arts, naturally, this summer at this state-of-the-art,
covered, and beloved outdoor pavilion.
WHEN:
Monday, June 1, 2009, from 10–11 a.m.
10:00–10:15: Brand unveiling (name, tag line, logo, marketing campaign)
10:15–10:30: Musical performance by The Salvation Army Quintet
10:30–11:00 Pavilion tours and interview/photo opportunities
WHERE:
Old Orchard Beach Pavilion
8 Sixth Street, (Corner of Union & Sixth off Saco Avenue)
Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
207.934.2024
INTERVIEWS:
Pavilion tours and interview/photo opportunities with Pavilion
leadership, board members, volunteers, performers, and patrons.

STORY IDEAS:
•   OOB Pavilion Unveils New Name & Kicks Off Spectacular Season
•   Discover Maine’s Up and Coming Performing Arts Venue
•   Not Going Away This Summer? Here’s an Idea for Your “Staycation”
•   Fun on a Budget: Enjoy a Magical & Affordable Summer Night
•   Something for the Entire Family: A True Family-friendly Experience
•   Ground Yourself: Take Comfort in the Arts During Hard Times

About Seaside Pavilion:
The Salvation Army built Seaside Pavilion in 1998 as a place for its camp meetings and as a gift to the community to enrich lives, lift spirits, and build community. Dedicated by President and Mrs. George Bush, Seaside Pavilion offers a state-of-the-art sound system, 1,400 stadium style seats, and a memorable performing arts experience wrapped in nature.
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